A time for serious comedy

Comedian Mike Birbiglia, who hails from Shrewsbury and will return to his stomping grounds on Feb. 8 to perform at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, made his reputation by being hysterically funny. But what’s lesser known is that he is a cancer survivor.

“I doubt he will touch upon that during his show,” said Sandy Foster, events manager for the 15-40 Connection, “but he is very supportive of our efforts and certainly he can identify with our message of early detection and taking control of your health.”

The 15-40 Connection is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people ages 15 to 40 to play a part in their own medical care by advocating for themselves. The group has chosen Mike Birbiglia as headliner for its event not only because of his story and his connection to the area, but also as a great opportunity to fill a room and promote awareness.

The organization, which holds a golf tournament in July as its largest annual fundraiser, considers the comedy show to be not so much a fundraising event as a networking and educational opportunity.

“It’s a wonderful way for us to present our mission to people and give them a chance to learn more about us,” she added. The 15-40 Connection is selling pairs of tickets to the show for $150.40 that admit people to a pre-show reception with an open bar and hors d’oeuvres, a take-home copy of a Mike Birbiglia DVD and admission to a post-show gathering at The Chop House with a free dessert.

Ms. Foster illustrates the need for awareness: While approximately 10,000 new cases of childhood cancer are reported annually, nearly eight times that number of new cases are reported in the 15-40 age range. Particularly at the younger end of this age group, there are unique struggles in getting them to take symptoms seriously.

“Certainly with the young-adult age group, there is a feeling of invincibility,” said North Brookfield resident Laurel Ahearn, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma as a 19-year-old college sophomore. The condition, which was successfully treated with chemotherapy and surgical removal of a tumor behind her knee joint, was initially diagnosed as “runner’s knee” by her university health services physician.

Now as a mother of two young boys, Ms. Ahearn volunteers her time, her voice and her story to the 15-40 Connection in the hope that others will gain the confidence she once lacked and recognize that they alone know what normal feels like for their own bodies.

“Our overall message is that people should have symptoms checked out — they should insist on it with their primary doctors — if they persist beyond two weeks,” she said.

Leominster resident Stephanie Corliss found herself in much of the same position in her adult life, having been diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer after years of doctor visits.

“I finally stood up for myself after being told for the umpteenth time that I was overweight and lazy and that I just needed to admit it to myself,” she said. As someone who exercised regularly and ate a generally healthy diet, she just needed to find the strength to go digging for the answers she wasn’t finding in traditional places.

“I’m glad I stood up for myself — it saved my life. I truly believe that we, as patients, need to address the symptoms we are experiencing,” she said. “We need to advocate for ourselves and get checked.”

Dave McGrath is a Westboro native and self-described “career cancer fighter” who has been a 15-40 speaker for years, also continuing his advocacy through his work at Worcester’s Hope Lodge and with his own fundraising event, “Skating for Hope.”

His brain tumor diagnosis at age 18 was almost overlooked, and since early detection can often be the difference between life and death, his message is chillingly relevant to the 15-40 mission.

“If your doctor is telling you nothing is wrong, you can choose to get another doctor,” he said. “More than anyone, you are in charge of your own body.”

The organization is careful to empower people without turning them into hypochondriacs.“We want to get people to acknowledge the role they play in giving themselves every advantage when it comes to their health,” said Ms. Foster.